by Annie West
‘So what is it? Why leave, like that.’
She could almost imagine that was hurt in his tone. Maybe she’d dented his pride?
Allegra pressed a hand to her temple, her thoughts in turmoil. What did he want from her? Blood?
‘Why the third degree? I thought you’d be glad. You’re obviously uncomfortable working with me now. You barely talk to me, you don’t take me to meetings and most of the time you can barely look me in the eye.’ She jammed her hands on her hips and stared him down, even though he was so much taller.
Except instead of looking guilty, she saw colour wash his taut features again and his eyes gleam as if with excitement. ‘You thought I didn’t want to work with you anymore?’
‘It’s obvious. You send me home early, you stop me attending the meeting in Rome for the deal I’ve sweated blood for. I’ll have you know I worked every bit as hard as you did to pull that deal off.’ Righteous anger ripped through her veins, but it wasn’t enough to counter the wilting inside. Any minute now she’d reveal her true feelings. She was just too close to the edge.
‘Let me leave, Luca. I’ve had enough.’
To her relief, and horror, he backed away a pace, giving her freedom to walk past him.
Allegra swallowed convulsively, knowing this, finally, was goodbye.
She took a step, then another, keeping her chin up and her eyes on the door. She’d passed him when his voice stopped her.
‘I felt guilty. That’s why I pulled back. I wanted to give you space.’
‘Space?’ She frowned, tested the word on her tongue. ‘Why would I need space?’ Was this some convoluted way of giving her the brush off without saying he just didn’t want her – as his assistant, or in bed, anymore?
‘You know why. I should never have taken you to bed.’
Allegra’s heart stalled then, finally, stuttered into action. So there it was. ‘Because you didn’t want to ruin a good working relationship.’
‘No, damn it! Because you were vulnerable!’ His out-of-control tone, so unfamiliar, had her spinning around. To her amazement she barely recognised Luca. He looked…distressed, like metal hammered too thin.
‘I apologised but it wasn’t enough. You were a virgin!’ His voice rose.
‘And so? Are you saying women aren’t able to decide when to lose their virginity?’
‘Of course not.’ His hand sliced the air between them. ‘But you were hurting. For all I know that accident might have impaired your thinking. And I kept topping up your wineglass that night. You might have had concussion but I was too wrapped up in my own damned pleasure I didn’t stop to think about that till it was too late.’
‘You’re telling me all this…’ Allegra waved a hand to encompass them and the office. ‘Your behaviour this week is because you decided you’d taken advantage of me?’ She didn’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed. Annoyed won out.
‘I don’t believe you, Luca. This is the twenty-first century, isn’t it? Medical science has proved women can think for themselves.’
Already he was shaking his head. ‘But I should never have—’
‘Oh, listen to yourself! I’m a grown woman and I chose to have sex with you. All right?’ Her voice rose from terse to strident. ‘Just accept it and move on. I’m not some medieval maiden who’s going to wither away because she touched a man.’
Her breasts rose and fell with each quickened breath and she saw his attention drop to the movement. It was the final straw. ‘And just because I’ve had sex doesn’t mean my brain’s disappeared or I can’t work anymore. If my presence bothers you, then say so. Don’t cut me out of the loop. I’ve worked hard in this job and I deserve your respect.’
‘Finished?’
Silently she nodded. Wow! Fury was far better than tears. She still hurt right down to her bones, but she’d far rather face Luca in a row than slink away and cry. That would come soon enough.
‘I do respect you.’
Allegra snorted and was surprised when he grinned and moved closer.
‘I missed you in Rome.’ His voice dropped to that rich, dark chocolate tone that did crazy things to her insides. ‘I wanted you in the boardroom, covering my back.’ His mouth curled slowly, oh-so-slowly, into a sexy grin. ‘And I wanted you in my bed, covering me any way you wanted.’
Allegra’s mouth sagged open and a warm finger under her chin lifted it closed.
‘Nothing to say, sweet Allegra?’ Gone was the tension she’d read earlier. Luca de Laurentis looked exactly what he was, a powerful, sexy man, completely in control of that elemental charisma that had turned far too many women’s heads. Including hers.
Well, he wasn’t getting away with it.
‘What am I supposed to say, Luca? That now you deign to decide I can survive the thrill of it, you’ll let me back into your bed?’
The man had the temerity to toss back his head and laugh. Laugh! She’d always known he was a macho Italian male, but this was the limit.
Allegra swung around and marched to the door.
She got precisely three steps when his big hand on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks. Next thing she knew he’d spun her round and crowded her up against the end of her desk.
‘I’m not laughing at you, bella. I’m laughing with pure joy. The future has never looked so bright.’
Despite her indignation she blinked up at him, questioning.
Suddenly his smile faded and he was all seriousness. His hand on her shoulder wove a feather light caress down her bare arm, evoking a storm of goose bumps.
‘I want you back in my bed, Allegra. I’ve never wanted anything more. But I was scared to push in case I’d overstepped the mark. When you told me what had happened in London, and I thought back over my own behaviour…’ He shrugged. ‘I thought it better not to crowd you this week, but give you time to consider.’
‘Consider what?’ Allegra saw the look in his eyes and her stomach did a spiralling loop the loop.
‘Me.’ He captured her hand and pushed it against his chest so she felt the hard whack of his heart against his ribs. ‘I want you in my life, Allegra, not just in my office.’
She drew a trembling breath as the fire in her belly doused. She was staring up at a man who looked as grave as if he stood on the edge of a precipice, except the light in his eyes spoke of hope, not despair.
‘I’m sorry if I overreacted.’
‘If?’ She bit back a smile.
He offered a crooked smile that cracked her defences. ‘It seems you bring out the protective side of me.’
She shook her head. ‘I didn’t know you had one.’
‘Only towards my family.’ He leaned closer. ‘And now you.’ His breath was sweet and warm on her face, a kiss of air.
‘What, exactly, do you want from me, Luca?’ Her heart was pounding so hard it was a miracle he didn’t hear it.
‘I want you to work with me. But more than that, I want you as my lover. For so long I’ve been attracted to the Allegra Davis I thought I knew, then I realised I’d barely scratched the surface.’ He grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Now I want all of you, the clever, organised Ms Davis in the office and the abandoned, sexy Allegra in my bed. And not just in my bed. I want to take you white water rafting, and motor racing and all the other things I know we’ll enjoy together. If you’re brave enough, in time I’d like to introduce you to my family too.’
Allegra stared. It was all so close to her own dreams, it didn’t seem real.
He paused, swallowing hard. ‘I know it seems sudden but I want you to give us a chance. I believe together we could build something special. Something long term.’
He bent his head and kissed her hand and she threaded her fingers through his thick, dark locks, loving the feel of him.
‘I think you’re right.’
‘You do?’ The excitement in his face was better than any thrill she’d ever got from racing a motor bike or hang gliding.
Allegra nodded. ‘
I think we could have something very special.’ She’d already fallen for him, hook, line and sinker. And the way he spoke – surely that was man-speak for love? Or something very close to it. Anticipation filled her at the prospect of what lay ahead.
‘I’ve only got one condition.’ Allegra saw him stiffen at her words and felt her lips curve.
‘What is it?’
‘That you don’t treat me like porcelain again. I’m a flesh and blood woman and I make up my own mind. Understood?’
‘Understood.’ He looked down at her for the longest time, until finally his lips curved up in a devilish grin.
‘What is it?’ This time she was the one hesitating.
Until she felt his hands at her waist, lifting her onto the desk. A second later he stepped into the V of her legs, sliding one hand slowly, oh-so-slowly up her thigh and sending trails of fire through her veins.
‘I’m thinking of all the thrilling things I’d like to do with my flesh and blood lover. If she’s willing.’
Allegra shot a glance past his broad shoulder to the closed office door. No-one would ever enter without invitation. Besides, hadn’t she vowed to stop living so sedately and enjoy more thrills?
For answer she tugged his head to hers and kissed him full on the mouth till he groaned and gathered her close.
After that there wasn’t any time for thought as Allegra and Luca gave themselves up to the passion that would stay with them the rest of their lives.
THANK YOU
Thanks for reading Bound to the Italian Boss. I hope you enjoyed it!
If you liked this story, you may have fun with my other Hot Italian Nights Novellas:
Back in the Italian’s Bed
Bought by the Italian
Bound to the Italian Boss
The Italian’s Bold Reckoning
At the Italian’s Bidding
(and more to come)
or one of my longer stories.
To find out more about any of those,
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ABOUT ANNIE
* * *
Growing up in Australia, I didn’t ride a kangaroo to school but I did acquire valuable survival skills like what to do when faced with a venomous snake or caught in a dangerous ocean rip. As the dangers of ocean swimming involved close observation of tall, burnished surf life savers, you could say I began researching early to become a romance writer.
I’ve been a reader almost as long as I can remember and the idea of being without a book sends a chill down my spine. In my teens I got hooked on romance and never looked back.
I found my own tall, dark romantic hero while at university. After a surprisingly interesting career in the public service I found myself with young children and a burning desire to do what I’d always secretly dreamed – write romance rather than government reports. I’ve been writing ever since. Along the way I’ve won a number of awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Australian Romance Writers’ Romantic Book of the Year. I’m also a multiple USA Today Bestselling Author.
I live with my hero and family at Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney, Australia. We’re close to the Hunter Valley’s marvellous wine country, superb beaches and the beautiful lake.
My favourite things are books, travel, long walks, good company and great food. I get to spend my days fantasising about gorgeous men and their love lives, which can be hard work, but I have no regrets. There’s nothing better than that sigh-worthy moment when your hero and heroine finally get their happy ending, or when a reader contacts you to say they loved your story too.
